CORRECTION: This story originally misreported the number of people employed by Magpul Industries. Additionally, the proposed legislation would not affect those who owned high-capacity magazines prior to the bill taking effect. Magazines purchased and possessed prior to that time would remain legal.

Erie-based Magpul Industries, a maker of weapons accessories and the company at the center of the debate over proposed legislation to ban high-capacity magazines in the state, has launched a Cold War-themed campaign that focuses on making its PMag ammunition magazines easily available to Colorado residents.

Dubbed the "Boulder Airlift" -- and modeled after the Berlin Airlift of the late 1940s -- Magpul's campaign is pledging to "bring much needed supplies to freedom-loving residents trapped inside occupied territory" by allowing Colorado residents to specially purchase limited quantities of magazines from its website.

Magpul, which employes 200 people, has threatened to leave Colorado if the state Legislature passes a law that would make it illegal for individuals in the state to own magazines that hold more than 15 rounds of ammunition. The House passed HB-1224 earlier this month and now the bill is before the Senate.

The company states on its Facebook page that increased production at its Erie plant allows it to launch the "Boulder Airlift" program with minimal impact on the number of PMags it can ship to its dealers and distributors out of state.

As part of the campaign, Magpul has created print ads that use Cold War imagery to get its message across. One ad shows a smiling girl catching ammunition magazines as they are dropped from the belly of a vintage military plane. The copy reads, "PMAG ... new weapon of Democracy! Support a Free Colorado!"

Rep. Claire Levy, D-Boulder, voted in favor of HB-1224 because, she said, "High-capacity magazines are intended to allow a shooter to release as many bullets as possible as quickly as possible, and that just seems like a very dangerous weapon to have in our midst."

She said she has seen some of the "Boulder Airlift" ads and is confused about exactly what message Magpul is trying to send with the campaign.

"Are they trying to imply that it is your patriotic duty to own as many bullets as you can?" Levy said. "I don't know what they are trying to suggest with that ad, but I don't think it's a very helpful contribution to a responsible debate about how to solve the problem of gun violence."

As for the company's threat to leave Colorado, Levy said: "That is entirely their decision."

Those interested in buying Magpul's magazines through the program are asked to register at the company's online store at store.magpul.com and create an account. The customer's billing and shipping address must be in Colorado.

Mapgul's campaign comes as Longmont resident Savant Suykerbuyk plans "Operation Mountain Standard," an event to be held March 16 at Boulder Gunsport at which people who contribute to Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, Colorado's largest in-state gun lobby, will receive up to two gun magazines in exchange.

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